WSU Women Takes Down Boise State 57-52 In Defensive Battle

BOISE, Idaho – The Washington State women’s basketball team secured a victory over Boise State (3-3), Thursday night, at Taco Bell Arena, defeating the Broncos 57-52. Sophomore Pinelopi Pavlopoulou scored a career-high 12 points, along with 18 points from freshman Borislava Hristova to lead the Cougars (6-1) offensively. On the defensive end, sophomore Bianca Blanaru grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds to go with 10 rebounds from senior Mariah Cooks.

The evening’s game was a defensive battle with 42 turnovers between the two teams. WSU redshirt-freshman Nike McClure recorded a career-high four blocked shots to lead the Cougars, who had 11 blocks on the evening and 10 steals. Boise State was held to 20-of-71 (.282) shooting on the evening, while WSU shot 22-of-57 (.386) from the floor.

In the first quarter, the Cougars forced BSU into seven turnovers. Washington State capitalized on the mistakes, scoring seven points off turnovers as Hristova scored eight first-quarter points. WSU built a 10-point lead in the opening 10 minutes, taking an 18-10 lead into the break.

The Cougars held Boise State scoreless for the first five minutes of the second quarter, building a 14-point lead. The Broncos responded with a run of their own, cutting the deficit to five points with nine-unanswered points. Pavlopoulou carried WSU in the period, scoring six points, as the Cougars entered halftime leading 26-19.

Returning from the locker room, WSU used tenacious defense to prevent open shot attempts from Boise State. The Cougars built a 16-point lead with 4:41 to play in the third quarter and maintained the lead into the final quarter, entering the final period leading, 46-31. Washington State held the Broncos to 4-of-20 shooting and just 12 points in the period.

Boise State looked to erase its double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter. With the Cougars leading by 12 points with 4:43 left in the game, the Broncos rattled off seven-straight points to cut WSU’s lead to five with 76 seconds to play. The Cougars shot 5-of-6 from the freethrow line in the final minute of the game to secure the win.

Washington State concludes its nine-day road trip with a game at San Diego this Sunday, Dec. 6. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. PT.

Led by Delaney Hodgins' career-high 31 points, the Eastern Washington University women's basketball team dropped a close heartbreaker on the road to Montana State on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 17) 77-74.

Led by Delaney Hodgins' career-high 31 points, the Eastern Washington University women's basketball team dropped a close heartbreaker on the road to Montana State on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 17) 77-74.

Washington State University President Kirk Schulz has selected Patrick Chun as the WSU Director of Athletics, it was announced Monday. Chun will be introduced at a press conference in the Rankich Club Room at Martin Stadium Tuesday, Jan. 23 at 11 a.m. He becomes the 14th individual to lead Cougar athletics in school history and begins his duties Feb. 5.

Washington State University President Kirk Schulz has selected Patrick Chun as the WSU Director of Athletics, it was announced Monday. Chun will be introduced at a press conference in the Rankich Club Room at Martin Stadium Tuesday, Jan. 23 at 11 a.m. He becomes the 14th individual to lead Cougar athletics in school history and begins his duties Feb. 5.